Undergraduate Minors

Automotive Systems Minor

The automotive systems minor is a program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers and other professionals who develop, manufacture and test self-propelled ground vehicles. Coursework focuses on all of the aspects of automobiles: electricity, lubrication, power, drive systems, ride, safety and comfort. Courses have a laboratory experience so students acquire hands-on skills in each of the major areas of instruction.

The automotive systems minor prepares graduates with technical and managerial skills necessary to enter careers in design, manufacturing, operation and maintenance in the field of automotive engineering technology.

Cast Metals Minor

Students graduating with a cast metals minor from Western Michigan University’s metal casting program are provided with an education that prepares them to be immediately productive as lab managers, melt supervisors, quality engineers, process engineers or product engineers in the metal casting industry. The lab experience is very hands-on and students become experienced in the metal casting process.

Students complete a senior project which is the capstone of their degree. It is a two semester project focusing on cast metals and the casting industry.

Western Michigan University is a certified school in the Foundry Educational Foundation.

Manufacturing Minor

The goal of the manufacturing minor is to prepare students for careers in the fields of product design, development, and manufacturing. The program is designed to provide the skills necessary for applying emerging manufacturing technologies in many production environments. Students completing the manufacturing minor will be called upon to do many things from designing and purchasing equipment to improving and troubleshooting existing manufacturing processes. The manufacturing minor is also available to Haworth College of Business students.

Plastics Processing Minor

This plastics processing minor gives students hands-on experiences and exposure to many of those processes. There is almost no aspect of modern life that is not dependent on plastic. It's easy to see why talented, knowledgeable, well-trained plastics engineers are in high demand. Plastic products are made using a variety of manufacturing processes. With a minor in plastics processing, you'll be able to pursue a career in product design, quality, manufacturing, mold and tool design, and manufacturing system design.